How to Get Business Permits in the Philippines

(Business Permits in the Philippines Updated on April 2023)

Planning to register your company? However, you don’t know how to get a business permit in the Philippines?

It is no secret that the law mandates every company (no matter its size) to be registered. This proves that your company is legit, not involved in fraudulent activities, and pays due taxes. You can also make financial transactions freely with other companies if they see that you are registered.

We are starting with DTI registration. Why? Because you can’t get you Barangay Clearance and Mayor’s Permit without first getting through this agency. We already know that going getting legal papers is too much hassle in the Philippines. To save some time, prepare all the needed requirements and know the process before going.

Credit: https://gov.texas.gov/business/page/business-permits-office

How to Register Your Business Name with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)

If you want to know how to get business permits in Philippines, you need to establish a unique name for it first. Here’s what you need. 

Requirements to Prepare:

If you want to know how to secure a business permit, you must have the following first. 

• Processing fee (based on the scope of your business)

Barangay – P 200
City / Municipality – P 500
Regional – P 1,000
National – P 2,000

• Documentary Stamp worth P15 each
• Two copies of the duly accomplished application form signed by the owner.
• At least one valid government ID bearing your photo and signature

Step-by-Step Guide to Register Your Business Name in DTI

Here’s how to process business permits in the Philippines. 

1. Go online and visit Business Name Registration System. Check if your business name is still available or if a business with the same name already exists.
2. Suppose your business name is still available. You can start filling out the online application form. You must indicate three possible business names for the agency to choose from should the others turn out to be invalid.
3. Go to the DTI office which has jurisdiction in your area. Submit the application form and the required documents.
4. Pay the applicable fees to the cashier. Keep the receipt.
5. After the evaluation of your application form and documents, you will be advised accordingly on the next step.
6. Your Certificate of Business Name Registration will be issued. If you file in NCR, the process just takes a day. Processes outside NCR may take around five (5) days.

There are three (3) ways to process your business name application:

When processing the business permits, you can process it as follows. 

1. Over-the-counter

• DTI Regional/ Provincial/Field Offices.
• Negosyo Centers
• SM Business Service Centers

2. Online through http://www.bnrs.dti.gov.ph or http://www.business.dti.gov.ph.
3. Hybrid applications are processed online and paid thru over-the-counter.

How to Get a Barangay Clearance for Your Business

After you get your Certificate of Business Name Registration from DTI, you can now proceed to your barangay or the barangay which has jurisdiction over your business address.

Requirements to Prepare:

Secure your business permits by providing the following. 

• Business Name Registration acquired from DTI
• Contract of Lease (if you are renting a commercial area) or Land Title and Tax Declaration (if your business address is also under your name)
• Certificate from Homeowner’s Association (if your business address is within a village or subdivision, or condominium building)

Step-by-Step Guide to Get a Barangay Business Permit

Get your business permits ready on time if you follow these steps. 

1. Go to the Barangay Hall, which has the authority over your business location.
2. Proceed to the permit department and inquire about the application form for a business permit.
3. Fill out the application form.
4. Submit the accomplished application form and the needed requirements.
5. Wait for the assessment in the barangay.
6. Pay for fees and keep the receipt.
7. Submit the paid application.
8. The Barangay Business Permit is usually released on the same day, but some barangays may release the permit on the following day.

How to Get the Mayor’s Business Permits

If you finally got your DTI Business Name Certificate and your Barangay Business Permit, you are one step nearer to your Mayor’s permit. This process may be a bit more tedious than the first two processes.

Requirements to Prepare:

Get business permits fast once you have all of the following documents. 

• Barangay Business Clearance
• DTI Business Name Certificate
• Contract of Lease or Land Title and Tax Declaration (whichever is applicable)
• Public Liability Insurance
• Fire Permit
• Sanitary Permit
• Community Tax Certificate or Cedula
• Additional applicable requirements which depend on the nature of your business:

1. Drugstores or Bakeries: Bureau of Food and Drug Administration Permit
2. Dealership of rice, corn, and wheat: National Grains Authority License
3. Auto Repair Shops and other electrical equipment services: Accreditation DTI
4. Real Estate Brokerage Firms: Real Estate Broker’s License issued by DTI
5. Pest Control Services: Pest Control License
6. Transport Services: LTO Franchising and Regulatory Board Permit
7. LPG dealerships: Energy Regulatory Board (ERB)

Step-by-Step Guide to Get the Mayor’s Business Permits

This guide saves time, money, and effort when getting business permits. 

1. Go to the Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO) located in your City Hall or Municipality
2. Head to the Engineering Department to get a Certificate of Electrical Inspection in the Electrical Department
3. Secure a Health and Sanitation Permit at the Sanitary Office
4. Go to the Bureau of Fire Protection to have them inspect your business area. (Some LGUs only require photos of your business establishment)
5. Proceed to the Office of the Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator to get a Zoning Clearance
6. Get back to the fire department to claim your Fire SafetyPermit
7. Pay necessary fees to the cashier of BPLO. It will include the business plate fee Philippines.
8. Claim the business plate and Mayor’s Business Permit in 3 days

How to Register your Business in Bureau of Internal Revenue

It is a must to register your business in BIR. This is to pay your tax properly and to avoid tax evasion cases. The business registration process will depend if your business is single-owned or owned by two or more people. In the following steps, we assume you are the sole proprietor.

BIR Registration for Sole Proprietorship Requirements:

Business permits are attainable if you gather these documents first. 

• BIR Form 1901
• Photocopy of Mayor’s Business Permit/ application for Mayor’s Permit
• NSO Certified Birth Certificate of the applicant
• DTI Certificate of Registration of Business Name

Required Documents for New Application of Authority to Print (ATP)

Also, you may secure your business permit with the following. 

• BIR form 1906
• Job order
• Final & clear sample of Principal & Supplementary Receipts/Invoices

Step-by-Step Guide to Register your Business in BIR

Lessen the hassle of processing business permits by taking note of these steps. 

1. Go to the RDO, which has jurisdiction over the address of your business, to submit all of the required documents.
2. Pay the Annual Registration Fee worth P500.00 to an accredited agent bank of your RDO.
3. Pay Documentary Stamp Tax (DST) and keep the receipt
4. Submit requirements for ATP
5. Attend the taxpayer’s initial briefing, which is held in the RDO. This is your chance to ask any related questions.
6. RDO shall then issue the following:

• The Certificate of Registration (Form 2303),
• “Ask for Receipt” notice,
• Authority to Print, and
• Books of Accounts.

Now you know the different steps in getting business permit Philippines. You won’t get confused about whichever government agency you need. 

Business permits in the Philippines are a must for every startup business, including SMEs. This proves that your business is legitimate. If you haven’t got these business permits yet, then you may not be able to transact with banks and other lending institutions for loans. 

Still in need of funds to process business permits in the Philippines? Take out a business loan from Cash Mart today!